‘Govt keen on combating social ills, youth violence’

02/03/2016

KUWAIT CITY, March 1, (KUNA): The government is keen on combating social ills and problems especially the ones associated with youth violence, Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah said Tuesday. Speaking at a regular session for Parliament, the minister briefed the National Assembly on the Cabinet’s weekly meeting yesterday which addressed problems caused by violence amongst youth.

A report by the Interior Ministry suggested that acts of violence among youth had dropped by nine percent in 2015 when compared to the previous year, said Sheikh Salman, adding that this drop was attributed to the government’s policy launched mid 2013. The government is working with the civil society to spread awareness on the matter and will continue to work on preparing strategies to bring youth violence to an end, said the minister.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah lauded humanitarian work carried out by Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS). This remark was made by Sheikh Salman after a meeting with KRCS Chief Dr Hilal Al-Sayer and his deputy Anwar Al-Hasawi, Ministry of Information (MoI) said in a press statement on Tuesday. The KRCS’s officials expressed their appreciation to MoI on highlighting KRCS aid campaigns delivered to the Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Jordan, as well as other humanitarian assistance dispatched to the displaced in Iraq and Yemen. The minister was given a book that documents 50 years of KRCS’ humanitarian work.

The government has set aside KD 102 million for 119 months (which amounts to KD 10 million annually) in the new developmental plan for improving the country’s image at the international level, and for supporting culture, arts and communication, reports Al-Qabas daily. According to the plan, the image of Kuwait is currently evaluated at an acceptable but average level globally due to which there is a need for hyping the international diplomatic role and rate of participation in global activities.

Other areas that require improvement are freedom, democracy, human rights, increased foreign investment and creativity in arts and literary works as well as Kuwait’s role as the International Humanitarian Center.

In terms of cultural activities, Kuwait is weak in fields of drama, cinema and government media due to which it is pertinent to ensure development of media freedom. The plan also includes increase in the number of external and internal book fairs and art and cultural exhibitions until the year 2020. The number of museums must be increased along with the role of dramatic performances and satellite TV channels.